IRVINE, CA -- Some 40 amusement industry members in the Golden State voted unanimously on Jan. 15 to establish the California Entertainment Machine Association. The vote came during a luncheon meeting organized by Ron Westphal of Newport Diversified (Irvine) and Michael Martinez of N2 Amusements (Brea).

A few Midwestern trade members participated in the historic West Coast gathering. On speakerphone from Rolling Meadows, IL, Chris McSwain of A.H. Entertainers spoke about the crucial role played by the Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association in creating a legal video lottery market for operators. And the Amusement and Music Operators Association, a national group, dispatched its president, Andy Shaffer of Shaffer Services (Columbus, OH), to the meeting.

Also addressing the group, remotely from Sacramento, was a lobbyist who discussed the value and strategy for developing relationships with state lawmakers in the capital.